What’s the best Overseas Student Health Cover plan for me?  

If you’re moving to Australia for study, congratulations! We hope you’re excited about spending time in our country.  

As part of your temporary student visa, you must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), which is a type of health insurance that covers your GP visits, some hospital treatments, some medicines as well as ambulance treatment and transport. Some OSHC policies also cover extras, such as pregnancy healthcare costs.  

You’ll need to buy OSHC before you arrive, and it must cover your entire stay in Australia, starting on, or before, the date you land here. If you don’t have OSHC, your visa may be cancelled, and you may be unable to apply for permanent residency later. 

The cost of an OSHC depends on how long you’ll be in Australia, and who is coming with you. 

Does every international student need Overseas Student Health Cover? 

In general, every international student on a temporary student visa (500) needs to have OSHC, since their healthcare isn’t covered by Medicare, the national health system for Australian residents and citizens. With that said, some students from Sweden, Norway or Belgium don’t need an OSHC due to being covered by their national schemes – but you’ll need to check with the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) to find out for sure. 

In addition, some students are eligible to apply for Medicare in Australia since their countries have Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with our government. So if you’re from the UK, New Zealand, Italy, Sweden, Belgium or Slovenia, you can apply for Medicare here. Keep in mind you’ll still need OSHC to meet costs that Medicare doesn’t cover.  

If you’re spending time in Australia on a non-student visa, such as the 417 Working Holiday Visa, you aren’t eligible for an OSHC plan, but it’s a good idea to purchase health insurance to cover your healthcare costs while you’re in Australia, such as an Overseas Visitor Health Cover policy.

How do I choose an Overseas Visitor Health Cover policy?

What are the types of OSHC? 

The most common type of OSHC is a single policy that covers only you for your time as a student in Australia.  

If you have a partner or children coming with you, you can apply for an OSHC policy that covers you and your partner, or you and your partner plus your children. 

What is the cheapest Overseas Student Health Cover?  

To find the best health insurance for international students in Australia, for the best price, you’ll need to compare the policies of all insurers offering OSHC: AHM, Allianz Care Australia, Bupa, CBHS, Medibank, NIB and Peoplecare (offered through Allianz Care Australia). Check each insurer’s website to find the cheapest and best OSHC policy for your needs. 

Can I get cover for treatments that aren’t included in OSHC? 

OSHC plans don’t cover non-hospital treatments such as dental care, optical treatments and physiotherapy. If you’d like cover for these types of treatments, some health insurers offer ‘Extras’ cover as an add-on to OSHC plans. Talk to your insurer to find out more. 

How do I use my OSHC? 

When you buy an OSHC plan, your insurer will issue you a membership card that you’ll need when you make a claim.  

Some insurers have a network of doctors, known as GPs (general practitioners), you can visit when you’re sick. They will charge the insurer directly, without you having to pay. But if you visit a doctor or healthcare provider that doesn’t have an arrangement with your insurer, you’ll need pay for your consultation then claim the money back later (if you have the receipts), via your insurer’s app, website or through the post.  

Some healthcare providers charge a ‘Gap’ or out-of-pocket expense – which means a higher cost than what your insurer will pay for that service. You will have to pay this yourself and cannot claim it back from your insurer. 

What happens when I’ve finished my study? 

When your student visa expires, you can no longer claim healthcare costs on your OSHC. If you’re staying in Australia for a holiday, you could switch to an Overseas Visitors Health Cover policy for your health costs, or if you think you’ll be here for an extended period, you could apply for a standard healthcare policy. 

Trudie McConnochie

Writer and Researcher

Knowledge is power – that’s the guiding principle behind everything Trudie writes, and it’s a philosophy she brings to her work at healthslips.com.au. By breaking down complex information into easy-to-understand blogs and stories, she aims to empower Australians to make the best choices and an informed decision around private health insurance.

Trudie understands firsthand some of the complexity of private health insurance having moved to Australia from New Zealand and having to navigate a vastly different public healthcare system and health insurance structure.

Trudie holds a Bachelor of Communication Studies (journalism major) from the Auckland University of Technology.

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